Kelly Baltar Reily and Robert Downman Grace knew each other as family friends their whole lives. They were always very flirty growing up, but Robert – being a few years older – and Kelly never dated until she moved back to New Orleans. The two were hanging out together as usual when all of a sudden something clicked, and their first date was at Sylvain on Halloween 2012.
The two had just bought a house together when Robert decorated the entryway and living room with candles, rose petals, and two glasses of champagne. When Kelly came home, Robert asked for her hand in marriage. She of course said, “Yes!”
The Graces held a rehearsal dinner at their St. Charles Avenue home to start off the weekend’s wedding festivities. Kelly and Robert wed on October 31, 2015, three years after their first date, at the Reilys' country home, Marshdown in Slidell. Wedding Coordinators Claudia Kelleher and Elizabeth Kelleher Roberts helped plan a white wedding with florist Meade Wenzel so the décor didn’t take on a Halloween vibe. Harry Hardin played the ceremony music.
John Besh catered the reception, and guests danced throughout the evening to Party on the Moon while photographer Greer G Photographer and videographer Bride Film captured all of the special moments. The wedding cake was made by Zoë’s Bakery, while the groom’s cake was made Leah Michael.
To commemorate that it was Halloween, friends and family were able to fill little gift bags with candy from a candy bar. The gift bags said, “Our night wouldn’t be complete without saying trick or treat!”
The two honeymooned in the French Polynesia Islands of Morrea and Bora Bora for nine days. They are currently living in and renovating their New Orleans home, where Kelly is a first grade teacher at Sacred Heart and Robert is a Medical Equipment Sales with Pro Spine.
Celebrant: Garner Tullis
Wedding Gown: Suzanne Perron
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier, Wedding Belles
Groom’s Attire: Custom Made Navy Suit by Tom James
Groomsmen attire: Navy Suits
Wedding bands: Keith Miller
Invitation: Scriptura
Hair: Keith Noonan Salo
Makeup: Tisa’s Beauty Bar
TOP: Mark Shreiber, Lee Parker, Gerard Ryder, William Prieur, Hyatt Thompson, Dennis Roubion, Marsh Moseley, David Webb, Hunter Powell, Nick Moses, Paul Pursley, Brandon Bissinger, Ryan Bergeron, Daron Gogreve and Blake Elmquist; (middle row) Morgan Aldridge, Rod Shreiber, Georgia Petagna, Chrissy Murray, the Bride, Robert Grace, Liam Grace, Leigh Songy, Erin Ward and Cameron Adams; (front row) John Coscia, Jessica Holt, Ransdell Prieur, Sheridan Grace, Katy Roubion, Kristie Reily, Amelia Sherman, Porter Pursley ad Colin Young; BOTTOM: Liam Grace, Sheridan Grace, William Prieur, Ransdell Prieur, Bill Grace, Anne Grace, the Groom and Bride, Tim Reily, Karen Reily, Cecile Roubion, Dennis Roubion, Katy Roubion and Kristie Reily; (in front) Liesl Prieur, Anne Cameron Prieur, Holden Roubion and Reily Roubion
